Post by stonefury on Jan 25, 2013 6:44:29 GMT -5

Yes, the headliners are pretty low key. And RHCP are the absolute worst - an uninspired booking. But... the undercard is really strong. Like one of the strongest I have seen. And I don't see a ton of these acts playing the festival circuit. It may be missing a few acts I would have liked, but I am seeing 30+ names without doing any research. It is funny just how much big name headliners define whether a festival is good or not in so many people's eyes. I get it to some extent, because my initial reaction was one of disappointment. But wow, after letting it sink in, I am surprised with the continued disenchantment. If they would have booked someone on the level of McCartney, then I am sure people would be saying how amazing it is. I would rather have a lot to see throughout the day rather than waiting for one act at the end of the day with the biggest crowd. This was what 2012 Coachella was last year for me. Two awesome headliners, about 15 acts I was excited about, and then a bunch of stuff I didn't want to see.

And Phoenix will bring it. I was 3 rows of people from the stage during Phoenix in 2010, and let me tell you, that place was going nuts. Craziest crowd I have been in at the festival, and I was there for Rage's reunion in 2007. I also caught them at the Hollywood Bowl later in the year, and it was a madhouse there, too. People started talking about them as headliners on the Coachella board right after their Coachella performance, and I can see why. I am not surprised to see it come to fruition. It also follows a trend of Coachella defining who is a top line contemporary act before the masses accept it: Killers in 2009, Arcade Fire in 2011, Black Keys last year. These were all questioned at the time. Now there is no question with the mainstream success they have all experienced. Phoenix will be no different.

Post by A$AP Rosko on Jan 25, 2013 7:28:01 GMT -5

Exactly. They take the image so serious. Just watch the video where they played outside early during that same tour in Atlanta. They were still into being dark and serious despite the sun being fully out.

In case you didn't know, they recently got a new lead singer: "Papa Emeritus II," who replaces "Papa Emeritus." I'm pretty sure it's the same guy.

Oh my god. This is the best thing I've ever read.

Check this sh*t out, Juggs: I've seen Ghost open for Mastodon (and Opeth). It was incredible.

Post by A$AP Rosko on Jan 25, 2013 7:31:01 GMT -5

I'd be mildly surprised if these were the only 2 US performances for both The Stone Roses and Blur. It makes sense that Grinderman is a one-off. They were on hiatus, but all the members are Bad Seeds anyway, so Coach offered them more cash to get an exclusive. The other two have played plenty of European dates already and could make a nice payday with just a small run of dates surrounding Coachella.

This is definitely not a bad lineup, but it's the first time I haven't been green with envy over a Coachella announcement. It helps that I already have a Nick Cave ticket for March, and that I don't care at all about the Postal Service or How to Destroy Angels.

Also, for those of you surprised at Wu-Tang's position on the lineup, look at their most recent tour dates. They weren't playing huge venues on their 2010 tour. I saw them at a 1000 capacity venue in Atlanta, and they didn't even sell it out in advance.

I would be really, really surprised if either Blur or the Roses had any US dates other than Coachella. Both those bands just don't tour the States. I guess that's one justification for Coachella having them as headliners despite the fact that a surprising number of Americans haven't heard of either of them. If you really think about it, it's just what Coachella usually does (Anglophile reunions) taken to the extreme.

Post by problem dog on Jan 25, 2013 7:49:09 GMT -5

I would be really, really surprised if either Blur or the Roses had any US dates other than Coachella. Both those bands just don't tour the States. I guess that's one justification for Coachella having them as headliners despite the fact that a surprising number of Americans haven't heard of either of them. If you really think about it, it's just what Coachella usually does (Anglophile reunions) taken to the extreme.

Maybe I'm too optimistic, but I figure at least one of them will book something in New York while they're over here. If either of them is an exclusive one-off, we will probably hear about it in the next few days.

Post by notdarkyet on Jan 25, 2013 8:10:05 GMT -5

To parrot what many have already stated the headliners are sub-par but the undercard more than makes up for it for me personally. It's my brit-band wet dream and I don't think we will see many of these acts play too many other stateside gigs in this or any other year. I also can't stress enough how on point Jupiter Jones may be on a fall edm fest:

Post by notdarkyet on Jan 25, 2013 8:19:20 GMT -5

My Coachella 2013 lineup would appear something like this. I say would because as special and unique as I recognize the opportunity to be, it still can't quite tip the scales to spend upwards of $1000-$1200 as I did in 2009 for ticket, travel and other expenses. If I lived closer, however, it would be a lock.